Which place is cheaper, Krakow or Bern?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bern or Krakow?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bern or Krakow? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bern or Krakow?
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
Krakow
Krakow is Poland's second largest city. It sits on both sides of the Wisla River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. There are more than 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. Krakow is known as a historical and beautiful city that is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism makes up a large part of the city's economy, but there is also a university and several local colleges which are major employers as well. Technology has grown in recent years and the city has some notable employees including Google, IBM and Motorola. Other important industries include steel, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBern $249Krakow $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Bern is $249, while the average daily cost in Krakow is $64. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bern and Krakow in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBern $161Krakow $42
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBern $322Krakow $84
Compare Hotels in Bern and Krakow
Looking for a hotel in Bern or Krakow? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bern Hotel Prices and Krakow Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bern $33Krakow $6.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:
- Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
- From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
- Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
- Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
- Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
- Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
- Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
- Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
- Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17
Is it cheaper to fly into Bern or Krakow?
Prices for flights to both Krakow and Bern change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBern $60Krakow $13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Krakow.
- Walking Street Food Tour: $22
- From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $32
- Polish Folk Show and Dinner From Krakow: $40
- Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $44
- Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $47
- Brewery Dinner -center of Krakow : $49
- Krakow : Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun ! Book Now!: $59
- Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun in Krakow: $63
- Cabaret Show with Optional Dinner: $69
- Half-Day Krakow Food Tour in Old Town and Kazimierz: $83
- 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $88
- Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bern $34Krakow $20
Tours and Activities in Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Krakow
Here are a few actual costs in Krakow for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.24
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.72
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.46
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entry Tickets: $4.71
- From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.95
- Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.57
- Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entrance Tickets: $5.62
- From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.19
- Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow: $6.59
- Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBern $27Krakow $6.75
Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:
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Vodka$13
Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Krakow:
- Pub Crawl with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $22
- Kazimierz Pub Crawl with 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks: $22
- Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $24
- Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $24
- Pub tour in Old Town with 1 hour open bar with a guide.: $25
- Kazimierz Pub Crawl + 1-hour Open Bar: $25
- Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $25
- Pub Crawl of Kazimierz Jewish Quarter with a Local Guide : $25
- Three-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
- Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $44
- Hoppy tours - Krakow brewery tour : $56
- Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $176
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bern and Krakow, we can see that Bern is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krakow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krakow and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern than you might in Krakow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bern Expensive? and Is Krakow Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bern or Krakow?
Krakow has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Bern and Krakow, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Bern or Krakow?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bern and Krakow. The summer months attract visitors to Bern because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Bern is generally around the same temperature as Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 21°C (70°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bern usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Bern gets 250 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Bern usually receives less rain than Krakow. Bern gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBern 21°C (70°F)Krakow 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Bern as well as Krakow. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
Bern is a little warmer than Krakow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bern averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Krakow fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Bern often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bern gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Bern gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBern 13°C (55°F)Krakow 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Winter?
Both Krakow and Bern are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Bern. In the winter, Bern is much warmer than Krakow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bern in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Krakow averages at about -2°C (29°F).
Bern usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during winter. Bern gets 65 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Bern usually receives more rain than Krakow. Bern gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBern 3°C (37°F)Krakow -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Bern or Krakow in the Spring?
Both Krakow and Bern during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Bern in the spring for the natural beauty.
In April, Bern is generally a little warmer than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Bern average around 11°C (52°F), and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Bern often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Bern gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.
Bern usually gets more rain in April than Krakow. Bern gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBern 11°C (52°F)Krakow 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Krakow and Bern
| Bern | Krakow | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.